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| A critical and ] success, ''Lost'' garnered an average of 15.5 million viewers per episode on ABC, and has won numerous industry awards including the ] for outstanding drama series in 2005.<ref name=Emmys.tv></ref> | A critical and ] success, ''Lost'' garnered an average of 15.5 million viewers per episode on ABC, and has won numerous industry awards including the ] for outstanding drama series in 2005.<ref name=Emmys.tv></ref> | ||
| ] acted as his young son, ]. ] played ], chief operating officer of his mother's wedding business and step brother of Shannon. | |||
| Reflecting its devoted ], the series has become a staple of ] with references to the story and its elements appearing in other television shows,<ref>{{cite news|title=Your Veronica Mars Questions Answered!|last=Thomas|first=Rob|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Insider/default.htm?rmDate=02012006 |publisher=TVGuide.com Insider|date=1 February, 2006}}</ref> commercials, ],<ref>Hughes, Adam (cover artist). . 25 January, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ffplaza.com/library/?issue=tg6v2|publisher=FFPlaza.com|title=Thing, vol 2 #6 }}</ref> ]s and even song ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Don't-Ever-Tell-Locke-What-He-Can't-Do-lyrics-Moneen/52524D9E9F8EE3D24825714800175068|publisher=sing365|title=Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do }}</ref> The show's ] has also been explored through ] ], ] and ]s, and an ], '']''.<ref name="d-abc_press">{{cite news | last= | first= | title=Global interactive phenomenon, Lost Experience, to reveal meaning behind mysterious numbers on international Hit TV show LOST | date=July 25, 2006 | publisher=Disney-ABC Television Group | url=http://www.disneyabctv.com/datvg_press/dispDNR.html?id=072506_12}}</ref> | |||
| During the first two seasons, some characters were written out to make room for new characters with new stories.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-13-lost_x.htm|publisher=USA Today|last= Keck|first=William |date=13-09-2005|title='Lost' in the face of death}}</ref><ref], 24 January 2005.</ref> likewise, speculation that ] or ] influence the events on the island, or that everything seen is a fictional reality taking place in someone's mind, has also been rejected by Lindelof.<ref name=scifianswers/><ref name=LostTVForum210805>"Damon Lindeloff E-Mail interview" , 21 August 2005.</ref> | |||
| == Production == | |||
| === Conception === | |||
| The series began development in January 2004, when head of ABC at the time, ], ordered an initial script based on his concept of a cross between the movie '']'' and the popular reality show '']''. Unhappy with the result and a subsequent re-write, Braun contacted J.J. Abrams, creator of the TV series '']'', to write a new pilot script. Although initially hesitant, Abrams warmed to it, and eventually collaborated with Damon Lindelof to create the series' style and characters.<ref name="DT081405"> | |||
| {{cite news| last=Craig| first=Olga| title=The man who discovered 'Lost' - and found himself out of a job| url=http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/08/14/wlost14.xml| publisher=The Daily Telegraph| date=14 August, 2005}}</ref> The development of the show was constrained by tight deadlines, as it had been commissioned late in the 2004 season's development cycle. Despite the short schedule, the creative team remained flexible enough that they did not hesitate to modify or create characters to fit actors they wished to cast.<ref name=season1dvd>Abrams, J. J and Lloyd Braun, ''Lost Season 1 DVD'' (extras), Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 6 September, 2005.</ref> | |||
| Carlton Cuse dismissed the theory that the island is a ] show and the castaways unwitting housemates<ref>]. "Asking for trouble" ] | |||
| ''Lost'''s 90-minute ] was the most expensive in the network's history, reportedly costing between ]10 and US$14 million,<ref>{{cite news|title=New series gives Hawaii 3 TV shows in production| last=Ryan|first=Tim|url=http://starbulletin.com/2004/05/17/news/story7.html|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|date=May 17, 2004}}</ref> compared to the average cost of an hour-long pilot in 2005 of US$4 million.<ref name="EIDC050405">{{cite press release | |||
| |url=http://www.eidc.com/EIDC_Press_Release_050405.pdf#search=%22production%20cost%20of%20a%20television%20TV%20pilot%22 | |||
| |publisher= Entertainment Industry Development Corporation | |||
| |title=EIDC Issues First Overview of Pilot Production Activity and Economic Impact | |||
| |date=2005-05-04 | |||
| |accessdate=2006-09-18}}</ref> The show, which debuted on ], ], became one of the biggest critical and commercial successes of the ] and, along with fellow new series '']'', helped to reverse the flagging fortunes of ABC.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bianco|first=Robert|title=A good season, with reason|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-04-26-tv-lookback_x.htm|publisher=USA Today|date=26 April, 2005}}</ref> Yet, before it had even aired, Lloyd Braun was ] by executives at ABC's parent company, ], because he had ]ed such an expensive and risky project.<ref name="DT081405" /> | |||
| <br clear="left"> | |||
| ===Episode format=== | |||
| Episodes have a distinct structure: following a recap of events relevant to the upcoming narrative, each episode begins with a ]. At a dramatic juncture, the screen cuts to black and the title ], slightly out-of-focus, glides towards the viewer accompanied by an ominous, discordant sound. The ] generally appear over the scenes that immediately follow. While there is a progressive ], each episode relates events concurrently with pre-island ]s centered on a particular character. The majority of episodes end with a suspenseful ] or ], revealed just seconds before a ] to black. Others, following a plot resolution, will finish with a reflective closing scene that precedes a simple ]. Shortly afterwards, a preview of out-of-sequence clips from the next episode is shown. | |||
| ===Music=== | |||
| {{main|List of songs featured on Lost}} | |||
| ''Lost'' features original music composed by Michael Giacchino, whose score is primarily orchestral and incorporates several recurring themes for events and characters. The score is performed by the ]. In the official Lost Podcast, Michael Giacchino revealed that he achieved some of the sounds for the score using unusual instruments, such as striking suspended pieces of the plane's ].<ref>Official Lost Podcast 9 January 2006.</ref> | |||
| On ], ], the record label ] released the original television ] for ''Lost'''s first season. The soundtrack included select full-length versions of the most popular themes of the season and the main title which was composed by series creator J.J. Abrams. Varèse Sarabande will be releasing a soundtrack featuring music from the second season of ''Lost'' on ], ].<ref>http://www.varesesarabande.com/upcoming.asp</ref> | |||
| Pop culture songs are used sparingly in the series, given the mainly orchestral score, and when they do they usually originate from a ] source, meaning that they're usually generated by an action of one of the characters. Examples are the various songs played on Hurley's portable CD player throughout the first season or the use of the record player (which included ] "]") in the second season premiere. | |||
| In some international broadcasts, alternate music is utilized. For instance, in the ] broadcast of Lost, Season 1's ] is ''"Here I am"'' by ] and Season 2's theme song is '']'' by ]. | |||
| === Filming locations === | |||
| ''Lost'' is filmed entirely on the Hawaiian island of ]. The original island scenes for the pilot were filmed at ] Beach, near the northwest tip of the island. Later beach scenes take place in secluded spots of the famous ]. Cave scenes in the first season were filmed on a sound stage built at a ] parts warehouse, which had been empty since an ] took place there in 1999,<ref>{{cite news|last=Veitch|first=Kristin|title=Lost Secrets Found!|url=http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Kristin/Archive2004/041016.html|publisher=]|date=Oct. 16, 2004}}</ref> but the soundstage and offices have since moved to the ]-operated Hawaii Film Studio.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nichols|first=Katherine|title=‘Lost’ Home|publisher=]|url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/05/21/features/story01.html|date=May 21, 2006}}</ref> | |||
| Various urban areas in and around ] are used as stand-ins for locations around the world, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. For example, scenes set in a Sydney airport were actually filmed at the ], while a ]-era bunker was used as an ] installation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Godvin|first=Tara|title=Oahu plays the world|publisher=]|url=http://starbulletin.com/2005/05/25/features/story4.html|date=May 25, 2005}}</ref> | |||
| Numerous writers have taken to journeying to Hawaii to find the locations in which episodes are set. In March 2005, one '']'' columnist described how he sneaked onto the set during filming on one such trip,<ref>{{cite news|last=Brownfield|first=Paul|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-northshore27mar27,1,1978826.story?page=1&coll=la-headlines-lifestyle|title=How lost can you get?|publisher=]|date=March 27, 2005}}</ref> which has led to other travel writers following in his tracks. Extensive archives of filming locations are tracked at as well as in a repository at . | |||
| === Distribution === | |||
| ''Lost'' has been at the forefront of new television distribution methods. When the series pilot was premiered at the 2004 Comic Con in San Diego, television series introduction at that venue was uncommon. Because of the overwhelming response to the "Lost" premiere at Comic Con and the rousing success of the series, it has become more commonplace to introduce new television series at the annual media event. It was one of the first series to be issued through ]'s ] service for playback on an ] or within the ] software. Since October of 2005, new episodes, without commercials, have been available for download the day after they air on ABC. | |||
| In April 2006, ] announced that ''Lost'' would be available for free online in streaming format, with advertising, on ABC's website, as part of a two-month experiment of future distribution strategies. The trial, which ran from May to June 2006, caused a stir among network affiliates who were afraid of being cut out of advertising revenue. The streaming of ''Lost'' episodes direct from ABC's website was only available to viewers in the United States due to international licensing agreements.<ref>{{cite news| first=Joshua| last=Chaffin| coauthor= Aline van Duyn|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/341d65ba-c894-11da-b642-0000779e2340,dwp_uuid=f5f96136-709f-11da-89d3-0000779e2340,print=yes.html| title=Disney’s ABC to offer TV shows free on web | publisher=Financial Times| date=2006-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=DisneyABC TV|date=2006-04-10|url=http://www.disneyabctv.com/datvg_press/dispDNR.html?id=041006_06|title=Disney-ABC Television Group takes ABC Primetime Online}}</ref> | |||
| The UK's ] has also allowed access to the series online.<ref>Channel 4 Lost Episodes Online </ref> Both parts of "Pilot" were available to watch for free, and other episodes cost ]0.99 each. Season two installments are made available two weeks after their Channel 4 debut, and the episodes expire after several months. Due to licensing agreements, the service is only accessible in the UK. | |||
| As of third quarter, 2006, France's ] has allowed online access to the French version of season two; episodes cost ]1.99.<ref>{{cite web|title=TF1 Lost Episodes Online (French)|url=http://www.tf1vision.com/liste.php?rub=CAT8&fltCode=182&p=53/?trk=1&e=7}}</ref> Each episode is issued online just after being broadcast. | |||
| == Cast and characters == | |||
| {{main|Characters of Lost}} | |||
| {{spoilers}} | |||
| ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] (Juliet not pictured).|thumb|220px|left]]<!-- FAIR USE of Seasonthree.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:Seasonthree.jpg for rationale --> | |||
| The second season featured fifteen regular speaking roles, making it the second largest cast in American primetime television behind ''Desperate Housewives''. While a large cast makes ''Lost'' more expensive to produce, the show's writers benefit from more flexibility in story decisions. According to series executive producer Bryan Burk, "You can have more interactions between characters and create more diverse characters, more back stories, more love triangles."<ref>{{cite news|title=TV hits maximum occupancy|publisher=USA Today|last=Keveney|first=Bill|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-11-08-ensemble-casts_x.htm|date=08-11-2005}}</ref> | |||
| The first season had fourteen major speaking roles and each of the actors had a star ]. ] portrayed former Iraqi Republican guard ]. ] played the pregnant Australian ]. ] acted as the troubled surgeon ]. ] portrayed ], an obese Latino millionaire. ] played ], a former dance teacher. ] acted as con man ]. ] played ], the daughter of a powerful Korean businessman, with ] as her husband ]. ] portrayed fugitive ]. ] acted as an ex-rock star drug addict ]. ] played the mysterious ]. ] portrayed construction worker ], while child star ] acted as his young son, ]. ] played ], chief operating officer of his mother's wedding business and step brother of Shannon. | |||
| During the first two seasons, some characters were written out to make room for new characters with new stories.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-13-lost_x.htm|publisher=USA Today|last= Keck|first=William |date=13-09-2005|title='Lost' in the face of death}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci06prog_lost.shtml|publisher=Comic Con|title=Interview with Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse|quote="Carton: There will always be new characters that will be joining the cast of Lost. We will try to give the audience a lot of stuff with your favorite characters and introducing new characters and evolving the story is just part of the DNA of the show."}}</ref> Ian Somerhalder was the first major character to be written out in season one. Malcolm David Kelley became a guest star after the events of the first season's finale, making rare appearances throughout season two. Maggie Grace's departure six episodes into season two made way for newcomers ] as Catholic priest and former Nigerian warlord ], ] as airport security guard and former police officer ], and ] portraying the purported clinical psychologist ]. Ana Lucia and Libby were written out of the series toward the end of season two, as were Michael Dawson and Walt Lloyd, although producers have not ruled out the possibility of them returning in flashbacks, or in the case of Michael and Walt, physically returning to the island. In the second season, two supporting characters, ] played by ] and tail section survivor ] played by ], were featured in a flashback episode after being reunited. However, other recurring characters have frequented the show, including ] as ], the shipwrecked Frenchwoman, ] and ] as ] and ], two of the Others, ] as ], the father of Jack featured in flashbacks, ] as flight attendant ], and others. | |||
| In season 3, ] is to receive star billing as former Scottish soldier ],<ref></ref> as will ] in the role of ], a leader of the "]".<ref name=Nytimes052505>Aurthur, Kate. The New York Times. 25 May 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Simonson| first=Robert| title=Michael Emerson to Become Series Regular on TV's "Lost"| url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/99909.html| publisher=]| date=28 May, 2006}}</ref> In addition, three new actors and actresses will join the regular cast. ] will receive star billing as Juliet, ] will be a recurring guest star as Nikki, as will ], who will play Paulo <ref> </ref>. It has been confirmed that Juliet will be a love interest for Jack.<ref></ref> | |||
| == Season synopses == | |||
| {{Main|List of Lost episodes}} | |||
| === Season 1 === | |||
| {{main|Lost (season 1)}} | |||
| Season 1 began airing in the United States on ], ] and featured 25<ref>http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/episodes/122.html</ref> episodes. A plane crash strands the surviving passengers of ] on a seemingly ], forcing the group of strangers to work together to stay alive. However, their survival is threatened by mysterious entities including polar bears, an unseen creature that roams the jungle, and the island's malevolent inhabitants known as the "]". They encounter a Frenchwoman who was shipwrecked on the island over sixteen years earlier and find a mysterious metal hatch buried in the ground. An attempt is made to leave the island with a raft. | |||
| === Season 2 === | |||
| {{main|Lost (season 2)}} | |||
| Season 2 began airing in the United States and Canada on ], ] and featured 24<ref>http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/episodes/223.html</ref> episodes. Most of the story, which continues 44 days after the crash, focuses on the main conflict between the survivors and the ], with the continued clash between faith and science being thematic in certain episodes. While some mysteries are resolved, more questions are raised. New characters are introduced, including the tail-section survivors and other island inhabitants. More island mythologies and insights into the survivors' pasts are divulged. The hatch is explored and the existence of ] and its benefactor, ], is established. As the truth about the mysterious others begins to unfold, one of the crash survivors betrays the other castaways, and the cause of the plane crash is revealed. | |||
| === Season 3 === | |||
| {{main|Lost (season 3)}} | |||
| Season 3 will begin airing in the United States and Canada on ], ],<ref name="ABCPress20060804"/> and will feature 23 episodes that will be delivered in two blocks: an initial autumn arc of six episodes and a second run of seventeen consecutive episodes beginning in February 2007. The story will continue 65 days after the crash, and will focus on the Others (as led by "Henry Gale") and their history, ranks, and goals. | |||
| == Mythology== | |||
| {{main|Mythology of Lost}} | |||
| <!--This is a general summary only; the specific references should go to the main Mythology article.--> | |||
| In parallel to its character development, episodes of ''Lost'' include a number of mysterious elements which have been ascribed to ] or ] phenomena. The creators of the series refer to these as part of the ] of the series, and they form the basis of rampant fan speculation.<ref>Benson, Jim. , ''Broadcasting & Cable'', May 16, 2005.</ref> | |||
| Among the show's mythological elements is a "monster" which appears to roam the island; a mysterious group of inhabitants whom the survivors refer to as "The Others"; an organization called the "DHARMA Initiative" which has placed several ] on the island; a sequence of numbers which have made frequent appearances in the lives of the characters, in both the past and present; and personal connections between the characters, of which they are often unaware. | |||
| ==Thematic motifs== | |||
| {{main|Thematic motifs of Lost}} | |||
| There are several recurring thematic ] on ''Lost'', which generally have no direct impact on the story itself, but expand the show's literary and philosophical ]. These elements include frequent appearances of the colors ], which reflect the ] within characters and situations; ]s, which often appear in close-up at the start of episodes; ] situations, as portrayed in the lives of nearly all the main characters; references to numerous works of ], including mentions and discussions of particular novels. There are also many allusions to ], demonstrated most clearly in the distinct naming of certain characters after famous historical thinkers, such as ], ] and ]. | |||
| == Discredited theories == | |||
| <!-- NOTE: | |||
| The ONLY theories to be included in this section are those specifically REFUTED by the show's creators/writers. ALL unsourced theories will be removed, as Original Research. All that is needed is a brief statement of the theory and a link to the verifiable source, indicating who dismissed the theory. | |||
| --> | |||
| At the heart of the series is a complex and cryptic storyline which spawns numerous unresolved questions. Encouraged by ''Lost's'' writers and stars—who often interact with fans both online and in person—viewers and TV critics alike have taken to rampant theorization in an attempt to unravel the mysteries. Theories mainly concern the nature of the island, the origins of the "monster" and the "Others," the meaning of the numbers, and the reasons for both the crash and the survival of some passengers. | |||
| Several of the more common fan theories have been discussed and rejected by the show's creators, the most common of which being that the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 are dead or in ]. This was specifically denied by J.J. Abrams and was also proven to be wrong by the second season's ].<ref>Fienberg, Daniel. "'Lost' Team Discusses Upcoming Death and Mysteries" 14 March 2005.</ref> Other common theories that the makers of the show have discredited include theories such as that the survivors will experience, or have experienced, ], which was dismissed by ];<ref name=scifianswers>"Lost Answers are Out There" , 24 January 2005.</ref> likewise, speculation that ] or ] influence the events on the island, or that everything seen is a fictional reality taking place in someone's mind, has also been rejected by Lindelof.<ref name=scifianswers/><ref name=LostTVForum210805>"Damon Lindeloff E-Mail interview" , 21 August 2005.</ref> | |||
| Carlton Cuse dismissed the theory that the island is a ] show and the castaways unwitting housemates<ref>]. "Asking for trouble" 22 August 2005.</ref> and Damon Lindelof also discredited the theory that the "monster" is a ] cloud similar to the one featured in ]'s novel '']''.<ref>Wharton, David Michael. Comicon 2005 news. 17 July 2005</ref><ref>Grillo-Marxuach, Javier. "Burning Questions", , 22 July 2005.</ref> | |||
| {{spoiler-end}} | |||
| == Impact on society == | |||
| === Ratings, critical response and awards === | |||
| The pilot episode debuted on ], ] and garnered 18.6 million viewers, easily winning its 8 p.m. timeslot, and giving ABC its strongest ] since ] when '']'' initially aired — beaten only the following month by the premiere of '']''. According to '']'', "ABC sure could use a breakout drama success, as it hasn't had a real hit since ''].'' ''Lost'' represents the network's best start for a drama with eighteen to forty-nine year olds since '']'' in 1999, and in total viewers since '']'' in 1995."<ref>{{cite news|first=Rick|last=Kissell|title=ABC, Eye have quite some night|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117910869?categoryid=14&cs=1|publisher=Variety|date=September 25, 2004}}</ref> | |||
| Based on its strong opening, ] dubbed it a "hit drama" noting that "the show appeared to have benefited from an all-out marketing blitz that included radio spots, special screenings and ABC's first billboard advertising campaign in five years."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lost-media.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=10|title=ABC May Have Found a Hit in 'Lost'|date=10/1/2004|last=Gorman |first=Steve|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> After four episodes aired, ABC announced ''Lost'' had been picked up for a full season order.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/Pf/0,1527,15183,00.html|title=ABC stays "Lost" and "Desperate"|first=Josh|last=Grossberg|date=Oct 20, 2004|publisher=E! Online}}</ref> | |||
| For its first season, ''Lost'' averaged 16 million viewers, ranking it 14th in viewership among ] shows, and 15th among the eighteen to forty-nine year old ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|source=Hollywood Reporter|date=May 27, 2005|title=Final audience and ratings figures}}</ref> Its second season fared equally well: again, ''Lost'' ranked 14th in viewership, with an average of 15.5 million viewers. However, it improved its rating with eighteen to forty-nine year olds, ranking it 8th.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393|source=Hollywood Reporter|date=May 26, 2006|title=2005-06 primetime wrap}}</ref> The second season premiere was even stronger than the first: pulling in over 23 million viewers and setting a series record.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds24619.html|title=US Ratings: 'Lost' premiere draws 23 million|first=Neil |last=Wilkes|publisher=Digital Spy (UK)|date=September 23, 2005}}</ref> | |||
| A survey of twenty countries by ''Informa Telecoms and Media'' in 2006 concluded that, next to '']'', ''Lost'' was the second most viewed TV show in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5231334.stm|date=] ]|title=CSI show 'most popular in world'|publisher=BBC}}</ref> | |||
| Capping its successful first season, ''Lost'' won the ] and J. J. Abrams was awarded an Emmy in September 2005 for his work as the director of the pilot. In January 2006, it won the ] for Best Television Drama. ''Lost'' won the 2005 ] award for outstanding achievement in writing for a dramatic television series, and the 2005 ] for best ensemble cast. | |||
| === Fandom and in popular culture=== | |||
| {{seealso|List of references to Lost in popular culture}} | |||
| As with most ] shows, ''Lost'' has generated a dedicated and thriving international ] community. ''Lost'' fans, sometimes dubbed ''Lostaways''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050207/news_lz1b7lost.html|title=Sites in the news, Lostaways|date=]-]|publisher=The San Diego Union Tribute|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref> or ''Losties'',<ref name="ABCpress20050512">{{cite press release|url=http://abcmedianet.com/pressrel/dispDNR.html?id=051205_03&from=mnsearch|title=ABC TELEVISION AND CREATION ENTERTAINMENT BRING THE OFFICIAL "LOST" FAN CLUB AND SPECIAL EVENTS TO CITIES AROUND THE WORLD|publisher=]|date=]-]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref> have gathered at ] and conventions organized by ABC,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159667,00.html|title='Lost' Fans Hold Convention for Show|first=Don|last=Kaplan|date=]-]|publisher=]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref><ref name="ABCpress20050512"/> but have also been active in developing a large number of fan websites and forums dedicated to the program and its related incarnations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/10/Floridian/Web_ensnares__Lost__s.shtml|title=Web ensnares 'Lost' souls|first=Colette|last=Bancroft|date=]-]|publisher=]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/03/AR2005120300089.html|title='Lost' Fans Find A Niche on the Internet|first=Frank|last=Ahrens| date=]-]|publisher=]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref><ref name="StPetersburg20060111">{{cite news|url=http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060111/ENT02/601110412/1034|title=Fans find 'Lost' world on Net|first=Colette|last=Bancroft|date=]-]|publisher=]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002730079_lostgame10.html|title=Fans play TV series "Lost" like an interactive video game|first=Jennifer|last=Buckendorff|date=]-]|publisher=]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref> Because of the show's elaborate mythology, its fansites have focused on speculation and theorizing about the island's mysteries, as well as on more typical fan activities such as producing ] and videos, compiling episode transcripts, ] characters, and collecting memorabilia. | |||
| Anticipating fan interest and trying to keep its audience engrossed, ABC embarked on various cross-media endeavors, often using new media. Fans of ''Lost'' have been able to explore ABC-produced tie-in websites, tie-in novels, an official forum sponsored by the creative team behind ''Lost'' ("The Fuselage"), "]s", podcasts by the producers, an official magazine, and an alternate reality game (ARG) "]."<ref name="StPetersburg20060111"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_30/b3994072.htm|title=Network Finds Marketing Paradise with ''Lost''|first=Tom|last=Lowry|date=]-]|publisher=] Online|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref> An official fanclub was launched in the summer of 2005 through Creation Entertainment.<ref name="ABCpress20050512"/> | |||
| Due to the show's popularity, references to the series and elements from its story have appeared in ] and ] usage. These include appearances on television, such as on the series '']'', '']'', and '']''; as well as on the cartoons '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''; and even on a commercial for ] ]. ], such as '']'' and '']'', daily strip '']'', web comic '']'', and humor magazine '']'' have all incorporated ''Lost'' references. Similarly, rock bands ] and ] have published songs whose themes and titles were derived from the series. | |||
| ==In other media== | |||
| The characters and setting of ''Lost'' have appeared in several official tie-ins outside of television. As of March of 2006, three ]s have been published, the first being ''Endangered Species'' (ISBN 0-7868-9090-8) by Cathy Hapka which was released on ], ]. The second to be released on ], ] was ''Secret Identity'' (ISBN 0-7868-9091-6) by Cathy Hapka and ''Signs of Life'' (ISBN 0-7868-9092-4) by Frank Thompson was released on ], ]. | |||
| A series of short mini-episodes, (or "]s"), which are designed for viewing on mobile telephones, ''Lost Video Diaries'', was originally scheduled to be released to ] subscribers via its V-Cast system, but was delayed by contract disputes that were later resolved.<ref>{{cite news| first=Andrew and Jesse Hiestand| last=Wallenstein|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyid=2006-04-25T110339Z_01_N24351020_RTRUKOC_0_US-UNIONS.xml| title=ABC, unions reach deal on cell phone TV shows| publisher=]| date=]| accessdate=2006-04-25}}</ref><ref></ref> Each video diary is planned to run several minutes and cover events not seen in the television episodes.<ref>{{cite news| first=Gina| last=Serpe| url=http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,17795,00.html| title="Lost" Finds Its Calling| publisher=]| date=]| accessdate=2006-04-25}}</ref> They are planned to be released in ] of ]. | |||
| On ], ], ] published a ] book titled ''Bad Twin'' (ISBN 1-4013-0276-9), written by Laurence Shames,<ref>{{cite news |last = Zeitchik|first = Steven|url =http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117945504?categoryId=14&cs=1|title =Inside Move: It's a Shames|publisher =]|date = 2006-06-18|accessdate = 2006-06-19}}</ref> and credited to fictional author "]," a passenger on Oceanic Flight 815. A fictional tie-in website about the airline was launched between the first and second season. The site included several ] and clues about the show. Another tie-in website was launched after the airing of "]" about the fictional ]. | |||
| The show's networks and producers have made extensive use of the Internet in expanding the background of the story. For example, a fictional diary by an unseen survivor was presented on the ABC web site for the series. Similarly, the interactive back-stories of several characters are included in ''Lost Untold'', a section of UK ]'s ''Lost'' website. Beginning in early May 2006, Channel 4 and ABC produced an Internet-based ] called "]". The game presents a five-phase<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.disneyabctv.com/datvg_press/dispDNR.html?id=072506_12| title=Global interactive phenomenon, Lost Experience, to reveal meaning behind mysterious numbers on international hit TV show "Lost" | publisher=] Press Release| date=]| accessdate=2006-07-27}}</ref> parallel storyline, primarily involving ]. Since November 2005, ABC has produced an official ], hosted by series writers and executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. The podcast typically features a discussion about the weekly episode, interviews with cast members and questions from viewers.<ref></ref> Channel 4 also hosts a podcast presented by ] on their 4radio platform, which analyses each episode after it is aired in the UK.<ref></ref> | |||
| === Licensed merchandise === | |||
| In addition to tie-in novels, several other types of products based on the series, such as toys and games, have been licensed for release. A ] has been announced, to be developed by ], for ] and home computers,<ref>"Ubisoft and Touchstone team up to create 'Lost' video game" </ref> while ] is developing a ''Lost'' game for mobile phones.<ref>IGN - </ref> Cardinal Games released a ''Lost'' board game on ], ]. <ref></ref> Inkworks] has published two sets of ''Lost'' ], and is slated to release the ''Lost'': Revelations set.<ref>Inkworks </ref> Likewise, ] has announced a full line of character ].<ref>{{cite news| first=William| last=Keck| url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-23-lost-toys_x.htm| title=These characters are toying with us| publisher=]| date=]| accessdate=2006-06-20}}</ref> | |||
| ==DVD releases== | |||
| {| class="wikitable" | |||
| !DVD Name!!Release Date!!Ep #!!Additional Information | |||
| |- | |||
| |Lost: The Complete First Season||] ]||align="center" |24||The entire first season of ''Lost'' was released as a widescreen seven-disc Region 1 ] box set in the ] on ] ], just over two weeks before the premiere of the second season. It was distributed by ]. Featuring all the episodes that had aired, it also included several extra DVD features including episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and making-of features as well as deleted scenes, deleted flashback scenarios and a blooper reel.<ref name=Amazon.com></ref> The same set was released on ] ] in Region 4, and on ] ] in Region 2. The latter release was entitled ''Lost: The Complete First Series''.<ref name=Amazon.co.uk></ref> | |||
| |- | |||
| |Lost: The Complete Second Season||] ]||align="center" |23||The entire second season was released as a widescreen seven-disc Region 1 DVD box set in the USA on ] ]. It was again distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.<ref name=Amazon.com>http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Complete-Season-Adewale-Akinnuoye-Agbaje/dp/B000FIMG68/sr=1-1/qid=1157234755/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6062310-2910323?ie=UTF8&s=dvd Amazon.com</ref> The same set will be released in Region 4 on ] ] (the same date as the premiere of the third season in the USA) and in Region 2 on ] ], again retitled as ''Lost: The Complete Second Series''.<ref name=Amazon.co.uk></ref> | |||
| |- | |||
| |Lost: Series One — Part One||] ]||align="center" |12||The first twelve episodes of series 1 were released as a widescreen four-disc Region 2 DVD box set on ] ]. It was distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment and included some DVD features that were available on the ''Lost: The Complete First Season'' DVD. The remaining features were released with Part Two.<ref name=Amazon.co.uk/> | |||
| |- | |||
| |Lost: Series One — Part Two||] ]||align="center" |13||The remaining thirteen episodes of series 1 were released as a widescreen four-disc Region 2 DVD box set on ] ]. It was again distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. It included the remainder of the DVD features that were available on the ''Lost: The Complete First Season'' release that were not included in the Part One DVD. "]", the two-hour finale of series 1, was split into two separate episodes when aired in the UK and thus was released as such in the DVD release as a 25th episode (the US release only had 24 episodes).<ref name=Amazon.co.uk/> | |||
| |- | |||
| |Lost: Series Two — Part One||] ]||align="center" |12||The first twelve episodes of series 2 were released as a widescreen four-disc Region 2 DVD box set on ] ]. It was distributed, once again, by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. It included DVD features such as episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and making-of features as well as deleted scenes and deleted flashback scenarios.<ref name=Amazon.co.uk/> | |||
| |- | |||
| |Lost: Series Two — Part Two||] ]||align="center" |11||The remaining eleven episodes of series 2 will be released as a widescreen four-disc Region 2 DVD box set on ] ]. It will be distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.<ref name=Amazon.co.uk/> | |||
| |} | |||
| == References == | |||
| <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> | |||
| <references/> | |||
| </div> | |||
| == External links == | |||
| <!-- NOTE: This section is for official sites dealing with the show in general. Please do not add fan sites, fan message boards, or sites containing clues for The Lost Experience ARG. --> | |||
| {{Wikiquote|Lost}} | |||
| {{Spoken Misplaced Pages-2|2006-08-24|Lost (TV series) Part 1.ogg|Lost (TV series) Part 2.ogg}} | |||
| {{seealso|Lost Experience#External links}} | |||
| ;Network sites | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * (Canada) | |||
| * (Australia) | |||
| * (UK) | |||
| * - Microsite from Channel 4 | |||
| ;Sponsored forum | |||
| *: forum sponsored by J.J. Abrams and the show's creative team | |||
| ;Official tie-in sites | |||
| *: fictional foundation behind the DHARMA Initiative | |||
| * : fictional airline whose crashed flight 815 is the subject of the series | |||
| {{LostNav}} | |||
| {{featured article}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
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Revision as of 15:42, 1 October 2006
| Lost | |
|---|---|
| File:LostS3Promo.jpgLost third season poster. | |
| Created by | J.J. Abrams Jeffrey Lieber Damon Lindelof |
| Starring | See Cast and characters below |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 47 (to date) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 42 mins. (approx) |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC (USA) |
| Release | September 22, 2004 – present |
Lost is an American drama television series that follows the present and past lives of plane crash survivors on a mysterious tropical island, somewhere in the South Pacific. The show was created by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, and is filmed primarily on location in Hawaii. The pilot episode was first broadcast on September 22, 2004. Since then, two seasons have aired and a third will begin on October 4, 2006. The show is produced by Touchstone Television, Bad Robot Productions and Grass Skirt Productions and airs on the ABC Network in the US. Its incidental music is composed by Michael Giacchino. The current executive producers are J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Jack Bender, Jeff Pinkner and Bryan Burk. Due to its large ensemble cast and the cost of filming in Hawaii, the series is one of the most expensive on television.
A critical and ratings success, Lost garnered an average of 15.5 million viewers per episode on ABC, and has won numerous industry awards including the Emmy Award for outstanding drama series in 2005.
Malcolm David Kelley acted as his young son, Walt Lloyd. Ian Somerhalder played Boone Carlyle, chief operating officer of his mother's wedding business and step brother of Shannon.
During the first two seasons, some characters were written out to make room for new characters with new stories.<ref], 24 January 2005.</ref> likewise, speculation that spaceships or aliens influence the events on the island, or that everything seen is a fictional reality taking place in someone's mind, has also been rejected by Lindelof.
Carlton Cuse dismissed the theory that the island is a reality TV show and the castaways unwitting housemates<ref>Idato, Michael. "Asking for trouble" ]
- ABC's 'Lost', about the show
- Pilot: Part 1
- ^ "Production begins in Hawaii on third season episodes of the award winning, action-packed mystery and adventure series, "Lost"" (Press release). ABC. 2006-08-04. Retrieved 2006-08-29.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Ryan, Tim (26-1-2005). "High filming costs force ABC network executives to consider relocating". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Emmys.tv
- Keck, William (13-09-2005). "'Lost' in the face of death". USA Today.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Cite error: The named reference
scifianswerswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - "Damon Lindeloff E-Mail interview" LostTV-Forum.com, 21 August 2005.